Jobs, digital growth and tourism headline new DfE strategy

Department drops billion-scale PR claims following political doubts, while pushing forward with growth plans across key sectors

The Department for Enterprise has published its 2025/26 Department Plan, setting out wide-ranging ambitions to boost employment, accelerate digital transformation, and grow the Island’s visitor economy over the next financial year.

The plan outlines a series of milestones aligned with the Island Plan and Economic Strategy, including job creation, inward investment, sustainable finance, and the implementation of revised business support schemes.

Executive Agencies will continue to spearhead sector-led initiatives, while central functions such as Locate Isle of Man, Enterprise Support, and policy development will play a key role in underpinning wider government priorities – including population growth and workforce sustainability.

Job targets

The Department maintains its long-term goal of creating and filling 5,000 new jobs by 2032, with 1,800 of those expected by 2026. Projections for the coming year include:

• 200 new digital jobs through Digital Isle of Man
• 150 new roles via Business Isle of Man
• 10 percent workforce growth in the tourism sector
• Modest employment growth in financial services

Job creation is presented alongside a continued emphasis on retaining the Island’s existing private sector workforce, which accounts for around 37,000 jobs.

Divisional highlights

Digital Isle of Man will continue rolling out its ‘Activate AI’ programme, develop a long-term eGaming strategy, and explore the economic potential of data governance and stewardship.

Finance Isle of Man will focus on delivering its Sustainable Finance Roadmap, maintaining international competitiveness, and supporting the Island’s preparations for the 2026 Moneyval assessment.

Business Isle of Man will implement the Local Economy Strategy, launch a new Business Productivity Programme, and publish a ten-year strategy for advanced engineering and manufacturing.

Visit Isle of Man is targeting 330,000 visitors and £231 million in revenue. Its 2024 performance exceeded targets, with £212 million visitor spend.

This year’s strategy will also focus on business tourism, cruise development, and relaunching the Classic TT.

Enterprise support and relocation strategy

Revised Enterprise Support schemes were launched in April and include continued funding for start-ups, infrastructure projects and emissions reduction initiatives. In 2024, the Department committed £6.68 million through the Financial Assistance Scheme and facilitated £60 million in private sector investment via the Island Infrastructure Scheme.

Locate Isle of Man will lead targeted campaigns to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals. In 2024, more than 2,300 relocation enquiries were logged, and 7,800 registrations were recorded on its recruitment portal.

TT, registries and travel links

The 2024 Isle of Man TT attracted a record 47,000 visitors, generating £46.7 million in estimated spend. TT+ subscriptions increased by 39 percent, and overall digital audience growth since 2022 is reported at 410 percent. There is hope that visitor numbers in 2025 will exceed that figure and break the 50,000 barrier.

The Ship Registry and Aircraft Registry will continue expanding their global reach, updating legislation and supporting decarbonisation. The Department will also push forward its Strategic Air Services Policy, with a focus on securing regional routes and improving connectivity.

Governance review and risk monitoring

A formal review of the Department’s Executive Agency model is due by September 2026, part of a wider look at delivery structures and accountability.

A new section in this year’s plan also outlines key risks, including income volatility in the registries, inflationary pressures, workforce shortages, and reputational concerns – particularly relating to eGaming.

PR reach claim dropped

Unlike last year’s document, the 2025/26 Department Plan omits any reference to overall public relations ‘reach’ metrics. In 2024, the Department claimed a combined PR reach of 5.8 billion, prompting scepticism from political members about how such figures were calculated and communicated.

Minutes from Visit Isle of Man’s June 2024 board meeting record that then-Chief Officer Mark Lewin recommended against publishing the figures in future, suggesting they be retained for internal use due to a perceived “lack of understanding of reach” in Tynwald.

Despite the omission, the new plan still cites a 200,000 view count – increased from 170,000 last year – for the ‘Love Manx Shop Local’ video campaign. However, Manx Radio remains unable to independently verify this figure.